ORGANIC AGRICULTURE? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Generally,Agriculture was practiced for thousands of years without the use of artificial chemicals up untill the mid-19th century when several advances were made in agriculture including use of Artificial fertilizers,chemical pestcides and several other agricultural techniques.These new agricultural techniques, while they were beneficial in the short term, had serious longer term side effects such as soil compaction, erosion, and declines in overall soil fertility, along with health concerns about toxic chemicals entering the food supply.
However,this longterm side effects came to rescue due to organic agriculture, which is best defined by sir Albert Horward whom by far most people recognise as 'the father of organic agriculture'.the concept of organic agriculture is best defined in his book 'An agricultural testament' (which i would recommend everyone to read) its in this book that Howard's work spread widely, and he became known as the "father of organic farming" for his work in applying scientific knowledge and principles to various traditional and natural methods.
Organic farming though has been best put to perspective by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement (IFOAM) that was formed in 1972.In which it defines organic agriculture as;
"A production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved."
-International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements-
Generally,organic farming relies on fertilizers of organic origin such as compost, manure, green manure, and bone meal and places emphasis on techniques such as crop rotation and companion planting. Biological pest control, mixed cropping and the fostering of insect predators are encouraged.
Organic standards are basically designed to allow the use of naturally occurring substances while prohibiting or strictly limiting synthetic substances.For instance, naturally occurring pesticides such as pyrethrin and rotenone are permitted, while synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are generally prohibited.
Synthetic substances that are allowed include; copper sulfate, elemental sulfur and Ivermectin. Genetically modified organisms, nanomaterials, human sewage sludge, plant growth regulators, hormones, and antibiotic use in livestock husbandry are prohibited.
Personally,the whole concept of organic farming is fully summerised by wendell berry on his book, 'the gift of good land' where he quotes;
"An organic farm, properly speaking, is not one that uses certain methods and substances and avoids others; it is a farm whose structure is formed in imitation of the structure of a natural system that has the integrity, the independence and the benign dependence of an organism"
-Wendell Berry, "The Gift of Good Land"-
However,this longterm side effects came to rescue due to organic agriculture, which is best defined by sir Albert Horward whom by far most people recognise as 'the father of organic agriculture'.the concept of organic agriculture is best defined in his book 'An agricultural testament' (which i would recommend everyone to read) its in this book that Howard's work spread widely, and he became known as the "father of organic farming" for his work in applying scientific knowledge and principles to various traditional and natural methods.
Organic farming though has been best put to perspective by the International Federation of Organic Agricultural Movement (IFOAM) that was formed in 1972.In which it defines organic agriculture as;
"A production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved."
-International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements-
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some of the organic farm produce |
Organic standards are basically designed to allow the use of naturally occurring substances while prohibiting or strictly limiting synthetic substances.For instance, naturally occurring pesticides such as pyrethrin and rotenone are permitted, while synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are generally prohibited.
Synthetic substances that are allowed include; copper sulfate, elemental sulfur and Ivermectin. Genetically modified organisms, nanomaterials, human sewage sludge, plant growth regulators, hormones, and antibiotic use in livestock husbandry are prohibited.
Personally,the whole concept of organic farming is fully summerised by wendell berry on his book, 'the gift of good land' where he quotes;
"An organic farm, properly speaking, is not one that uses certain methods and substances and avoids others; it is a farm whose structure is formed in imitation of the structure of a natural system that has the integrity, the independence and the benign dependence of an organism"
-Wendell Berry, "The Gift of Good Land"-
it is a practical practices given the fact that people adopt use of excessive use of chemical agriculture. planning to introduce and lauch organic agriculture practice back in my village and have a teaching practices
ReplyDeletethats definatly a fantastic idea,changes to organic farming for sustainability,openness, independence, health, food security, and food safety will start with me and you...
DeleteGreat article. We deal with a lot of Organic farmers and THEY GET IT! We are now starting to see some traditional farmers go organic and even in some cases change the crops they are growing. Love to see when people write about things that actually make sense.
ReplyDeletethank you and lets join hands to make organic agriculture great!
ReplyDelete